
THE FAIRY BRIDE 



NORREYS JEPHSON O'CONOR 





Class P S -3 5' cLR 
Book . C fo ( 7 F "3 



Copyright]^" 



'l/fc 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 

BESIDE 

THE BLACKWATER 

Boards, $1.00 net 

CELTIC MEMORIES 
AND OTHER POEMS 

Boards, $1.00 net 

JOHN LANE COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 



THE 

FAIRY BRIDE 

A Play in Three Acts 

BY 

NORREYS JEPHSON O'CONOR 



With Music 

Composed and Arranged 

By 

ELLIOTT SCHENCK 



NEW YORK 

JOHN LANE COMPANY 

MCMXVI 






Copyright, 1916, 
By JOHN LANE COMPANY , 

All rights reserved, including rights of production 
and adaptation. The dramatic rights are controlled 
by Mr. Norreys J. 0' Conor. Application for the 
right of production, whether amateur or professional, 
should he made to the John Lane Company, 116 West 
32d_Street, New York City. 




Press of 

J. J. Little & Ives Company 

New York 



APR i3[9i6 

3)Cl.A427668 

7-H> / 



TO 
THE OTHER PILGRIM 

The cares of the world to the world belong; 
But Love is ours alway; 
While the stars go out. 
And the moon sinks down. 
And day comes after day. 

And by our love shall we be made immortal. 



PREFACE 

The theme of the following play is that of 
the poem of the same name published in my last 
volume, "Beside the Blackwater." The idea of 
a blemished king who cannot reign, and the visit 
of a mortal to the Fairy other-world, are both 
common in early Irish literature; and it is a 
portion of the beauty and charm of this litera- 
ture that I have endeavored to enshrine. My 
attempt has been to write an acting play, not 
merely closet drama; therefore, while preserv- 
ing certain characteristics of the early Irish 
style in writing, I have sought to use language 
that will be intelligible to a modern audience 
and modern readers, particularly children who 
are already reading in school the plays of 
Shakspere. The plot of "The Fairy Bride" 
is not intricate, and the stage settings should 
be easy to arrange. In the Appendix I have 
suggested an alternative setting for the second 
act, in case the outdoor scene should not be 
7 



8 PREFACE 

feasible. I trust the play may often be acted 
and read in connection with the English in- 
struction in our schools and colleges, forming 
an introduction to the Celtic imagination 
which, through so many years, has enriched 
English literature. Should some readers turn 
to early Irish literature itself, I shall feel that 
my work has not been in vain. 

N. J. O'C. 



PERSONS OF THE PLAY 

King Fergus 

Queen Buan 

Dermot, her step-son 

CoNNLA, her son 

DoNN, chamberlain to Fergus 

CuNEDDA, a prince of Britain 

DoMNALL, a countryman 

King of the Fairies 

Ethne, his daughter 

Druids, Nobles, Servants, Fairy Queen, 

Fairies 
Place : Ireland 
Time: Before the introduction of Christianity 

Note: Information concerning costume, 
etc., may he found in '^A Social History of An- 
cient Ireland,'' hy P. W. Joyce. 

Complete parts of the music may be obtained 
from Mr. Elliott Schenck, care of John Lane 
Company, New York City, 
9 



SCENES OF THE PLAY 

ACT I 

The Great Hall of the Palace of King Fergus, 
AT Dun Faithci 

ACT II 

The Fairy Other-world. 

ACT III 

Same as Act I. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 



ACT I 

Scene: The great hall of the palace of 
King Fergus, at Dun Faithci. At the 
right a dais with two thrones, on the 
right of which a window, on the left a 
door leading into the open air. A door, 
right, leading to the royal apartments; 
on the left two doors, that in the hack 
leading to the rooms of the Princes, that 
in the foreground to the rooms of Nobles 
of the court, etc. A horn on the wall, 
left. Stools, etc., about the hall. As 
the curtain rises, Donn enters, left front, 
and meets Servant, who enters back, 

SERVANT 

A stranger without asks refreshment for him- 
self and for his steed, O Donn ! 
11 



12 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DONN 

Bid him enter. 

[Servant goes out, hack, and returns with 

CUNEDDA.] 

Welcome art thou to the hospitality of this 
house, O stranger! Whence art thou come? 



CUNEDDA 

I come from Britain, and my name is Cu- 
nedda, son to King Urien. My father sends me 
to Tara to the High King's court, there to learn 
the duties of a king ; for none more famed than 
are the Irish Druids, Far have I journeyed, 
and my steed is weary. I would rest me a day. 
In whose hall am I? 



DONN 

In that of Fergus, King of all the lands thou 
seest down to Inver Caragh. Welcome art thou 
indeed. 

[To Servant.] 
See to the Prince's steed. 
[Servant goes out, hack.'] 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 13 

DONN 

Fortunate thy coming on this day. 

CUNEDDA 

Why so? 

BONN 

To-day the King has summoned all the nobles 
of the court, and first of all the Druids, to this 
hall, here to choose one who will follow him upon 
the throne. 

CUNEDDA 

Has the King no son? 

DONN 

Two, born of different mothers. As the cus- 
tom is, they are considered first as heirs to the 
throne. Whoever has the nobles' voice is 
brought before the Druids, who examine him; 
for no king may reign who bears a blemish 
either in his person or his mind. Not only must 
he know the stories taught him by the Druids, 
but must be skilled in war; and, were he blem- 
ished, he could lead neither in the field nor at 
the council-board. 



14 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

CUNEDDA 

Even so. Which son will be the nobles' 
choice ? 

DONN 

Dermot, the elder, son to our former queen. 
Well is he loved, and learned not only in the 
Druid studies and the art of war, but is gener- 
ous and loving, eager in the chase. His brother, 
Connla, no less learned, but more sullen; not 
given to company nor sport, though able in the 
art of war. He, it is said, is skilled in craft, and 
favored, as thou mayest well surmise, by his 
mother and our present queen. 

CUNEDDA 

Can she persuade the nobles, then, to change 
their choice? 

DONN 

'Tis said that she will stop at naught; and (I 
must whisper, for the walls have ears) that she 
is in league with evil powers, Balor and the 
spirits of the air, enemies of the Fairies and all 
the powers of good. She has made use of gold, 
so rumor says, and there's a party 'mongst the 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 15 

nobles who will raise their voices in Prince Conn- 
la's favor. Some fear that Queen Buan may 
even attempt mischief with Prince Dermot's per- 
son. 

CUNEDDA 

Indeed I have arrived at a most fortunate 
time. When will the ceremony take place? 
[Enter Servant, hacl:.'] 



DONN 

Within an hour's time. 

\To Servant.] 
What wouldest thou? 



SERVANT 

A countryman, O Donn, waits without, and 
asks to see the Queen. 



DONN 

His name? 

SERVANT 

Domnall. 



16 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

DONN 

She told me he would come. Bid him enter. 
[Servant goes to door, back, and beckons 
to DoMNALL, who cntcrs,'] 

[To CUNEDDA.] 

The servant will show thee to thy chamber. 
If thou returnest, I shall present thee to the 
King before the ceremony. 
[To Servant.] 

Conduct Prince Cunedda to the stranger's 
room, and see him properly attended. 

[To DOMNALL.] 

I go to tell the Queen that thou art here. 
[Servant and Cunedda go out, left 
front; Donn, right; while Domnall goes 
to window and looks out,^ 



DOMNALIi 

It is the time she said; the sun is just above 
the summit of the hill. I must have done a 
weighty service, since she offered me three cows. 
[Enter Queen Buan and Donn, right. '\ 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 17 



QUEEN 
[To DONN.] 

Thou art dismissed. 

[He bows, and goes out, left front, ^ 

[To D0MNAI.L.] 
Hast thou performed my bidding? 

DOMNALL 

All that thou asked is done, O Queen ! 

QUEEN 

Didst mix the potion with Prince Dermot's 
drink ? 

DOMNALI. 

All the phial that thou gavest me. 

QUEEN 

When and where ? 

DOMNALL 

Three days ago I attended the Prince upon 
the chase that went across the green Plain of 
the Kings and up the slope of Royal Mountain. 
Well ran the boar that day, and loud the baying 



18 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

of the sweet-tongued hounds. We paused for 
rest beside a spring within a cool green glade. 
My task it was to mix the drink for those who 
shared in the chase; and in Prince Dennot's 
mead I poured what thou gavest me, O Queen! 



QUEEN 

[Joyfully.] 
Then is Prince Dermot doomed. To-day he 
will appear blemished before the Druids ; for his 
skin will turn brown as a leaf in autumn. Well 
hast thou served me, man, and thou shalt not 
lack reward. Three cows are thine from out the 
royal herd. 

[She claps her hands and Servant ap- 
pears, left front. Then she takes a neck- 
lace from round her throat and gives it 

to DoMNALIi.] 

Take this necklace from one who would be 
called a grateful Queen. 
[To Servant.] 

Lead this man before my steward, and tell 
Kian my will is the countryman should have 
three cows from mine own herd. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 19 

DoMNAIili 

A hundred thousand thanks, O Queen ; and all 

the blessings of the gods poured out upon thee ! 

[Servant and Domnall go out, hack, as 

DoNN and Cunedda enter from left 

front,'] 

DONN 

The time is here for the choosing of the heir 
to the throne, O Queen! This is Cunedda, son 
to King Urien of Britain. He journeys to Tara 
to learn the duties of a king. 

[DoNN presents Cunedda to the Queen,] 

QUEEN 

Welcome art thou, O Prince, to the hospi- 
tality of this house ! 

CUNEDDA 

My thanks, and blessings of the gods upon 
thee ! 

DONN 

I go to call the King. 



20 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



QUEEN 

Stay; for he comes attended by the Druids. 
[Enter Fergus attended hy two Druids.] 

KING 

Summon, O Donn, the nobles for the cere- 
mony. Come with me, O Buan, to thy throne! 
[While Donn takes the horn from the wall, 
lefty goes to door, hack, opens it, and 
sounds a call. King Fergus and Queen 
Buan take their places on the two 
thrones, at the right of which stand the 
Druids. From the door at hack and 
that at the left front, enter the several 
Nobles of the court, each bowing to 
the King and Queen as he takes his 
place. As they are gathering, Donn 
presents Cunedda to King Fergus.] 

donn 

O King, this Prince, son to King Urien of 
Britain, craved the hospitality of thy house to- 
day for himself and for his steed; and in thy 
name I bade him welcome. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE ^1 

KING 

Thou hast done well. 

\_To CUNEDDA.] 

Welcome again I bid thee. Whither journey- 
est thou? 

CUNEDDA 

To Tara, to the Druids of the royal court, 
from them to learn the duties of a king. 

KING 

Victory and blessing upon thee ! 

[CuNEDDA bows and retires. By this time 
the Nobles ha^e gathered.^ 

KING 

Well do ye know why I have summoned ye, O 
nobles ! 

[To DONN.] 

Go, and bring the Princes hither. 

[DoNN goes out by door, left bacJc.~\ 
[To Nobles.] 
I am grown weary of the kingship, and would 
have one succeed me on the throne. As the 
powers of a king are in your hands, I have 



22 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

called ye hither to name a prince to follow me. 
Remember he must be of royal race; that my 
sons are learned in the arts of war and peace, 
and, as children of the present king, have claim 
to the first choice. The Druids here will give 
assurance that the prince ye name bears no 
blemish in person or in mind. Now, I charge ye, 
speak ! 

FIRST NOBLE 

I name as King Prince Dermot. 

\_A murmur of approval among most of 
the Nobles.] 

SECOND NOBLE 

And I Prince Connla. 

\^A few of the Nobles give shouts of ap- 
proval, but there are also cries of, *^It 
may not beT'^ 

THIRD NOBLE 

See where the Princes come! 

[^All the Nobles turn to look where Donn 
enters, left back, followed by the two 
Princes. Prince Dermot walks first, 
his skin turned brown and his head 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 23 

bowed in sorrow. His step is slow 
and halting. After Mm comes Prince 
CoNNLA, head erect and glancing joy- 
fully about him. He walks with proud 
step. The Nobles give a subdued cry of 
horror as they notice Prince Dermot's 
plight, and fall back on either side, leav- 
ing a lane along which the Princes ad- 
vance towards the throne. The King, 
who has leaned forward eagerly at the 
entrance of the Princes, sinks back de- 
jected.^ 

SECOND noble 

He is blemished and he cannot reign! 

first noble 
A judgment, O Druids ! 

THIRD NOBLE 

Prince Connla is now the nobles' choice ! 

[The Princes have now halted before the 
throne. Queen Buan looks upon them 
with sparkling eyes. King Fergus 
slowly raises his head, which has been 
bowed upon his breast.^ 



24i THE FAIRY BRIDE 



KING 



[To Dermot.] 
When did thine affliction come upon thee, O 
Dermot? 

DERMOT 

I looked this morning in the pool and saw my 
flesh as it is now. Last night, ere I slept, my 
head was fevered, and I dreamed fitful dreams. 

QUEEN 

Thou hast two sons, O King, and one is well ! 

KING 

Peace, woman! 

[He is silent and rests his head on his 
hand.~\ 

SECOND NOBLE 

We would make our choice, O King! 

FIRST NOBLE 

111 were it should Dermot thus be made to 
lose the throne. I would that time were given 
for his healing. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 25 

THIRD NOBLE 

Yet Prince Connla is well, and as learned and 
as skilled as is Prince Dermot. The King grows 
old and would know who will succeed him. 

KING 

{^Rousing himself from his gloomy 
thought s.li 
Peace to your chattering tongues ! I ask the 
Druids now for judgment of Prince Dermot. 

FIRST DRUID 

King, he cannot reign ! Plain is the blem- 
ish which he bears, and clearly understood the 
law. 

QUEEN 

[To Fergus.] 
Bid them choose Prince Connla. 

KING 

1 cannot slight mine eldest son, whom I have 
taught the art of war, and loved not only for 
himself but for his mother's sake. Long have 



26 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

I dreamed to see him monarch in my stead. O 
nobles, I would give justice to Prince Dermot! 



DONN 

His sickness may be brought about by evil 
powers. There is sorcery in the land. 

QUEEN 

Yet the law is, he who is blemished cannot 
reign. 

[To Fergus.] 

Look on Connla, he is strong and well! I 
have loved thee long and taught my son to fol- 
low thee in word and deed. 

KING 

[In a stead?/ voice, though betraying emo- 
tion.'] 
Nobles, I will give a time to Dermot for his 
healing! It may well be that witchcraft has 
brought sickness on my son. My shame it were 
forever, should I let such misadventure keep 
him from the throne to which his birth, his learn- 
ing and his age entitle him. One year, O Der- 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 27 

mot, do I give thee to find a leech to cure thy 
sickness. Travel where thou wilt in all the 
world; but in a year, when once again the sun 
is risen half above the hill, I bid the nobles and 
the Druids here assemble, and I charge thee 
come before them ! Then shall they choose ; and 
then their choice shall not be changed. If then 
thou art not well. Prince Connla, or whoever 
else the nobles choose, shall follow me upon the 
throne. O men, do I do well? 

{^Most of the Nobles crz/, "It is well done!'' 
although a few declare, "It is not well; 
uphold the lawT' hut their voices are 
drowned in the general approval. Queen 
BuAN catches the King by the sleeve and 
starts to speak- ; but he rises, casting off 
her hand.Jl 

KING 

Ye are dismissed, O men ; forget not this day 
year! Take, O Dermot, whatsoever thou wish- 
est for thy journey, and the blessing of a 
father and the gods be poured upon thee; vic- 
tory and healing be thine ! Attend me, Buan. 
[King Fergus sweeps from the hall, right, 
followed by Queen Buan, who looks 



^8 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

Tneaningly towards Connla, who is now 
somewhat dejected. Dermot is more 
cheerful. He remains motionless while 
the Nobles leave the hall as they en- 
tered it. Prince Connla joining those 
who go out at hack. When they are 
gone, Dermot covers his face with his 
hands, half in sorrow and half in 
thought, and sits down on the step of 
the dais on which are the two thrones. 
The door at the hack opens, and on the 
threshold appears a maiden, Ethne, 
dressed in green and wearing a golden 
crown. In her hand a wand hung with 
hells. She stands an instant in the door- 
way, unseen hy Prince Dermot, then ad- 
vances towards him. When she is near 
him, she speaks. 1 

ETHNE 

Tell me, O Prince, the reason for thy grief! 

dermot 
[Lifting his head from his hands, and 
looking in wonder and admiration on 
Ethne.] 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 29 

Whence art thou come, vision of delight? I 
look into thine eyes and see worlds undreamed 
of, and my thoughts are in a maze. 



ETHNE 

Once more I ask what troubles thee, O Prince? 

DERMOT 

Maiden, I am sick at heart ; for the purpose 
of my life is ended. Look upon me; see my 
brown skin, the blemish that has come to keep me 
from my father's throne, — I who was born to be 
a prince and king! Well must thou know none 
who bears a blemish on his person may reign. 
My father. King of all these lands, is far ad- 
vanced in years, and would renounce the throne ; 
and I, who should succeed him, help him in his 
gathering age, who else had been chosen by the 
nobles, must give up my right because of sick- 
ness. 

ETHNE 

When did the sorrow come upon thee, Prince? 



30 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DERMOT 

This day, as I went to bathe in the depths of 
yonder pool, I saw myself mirrored on its sur- 
face. My skin had lost the ruddy glow of 
health, and had become as now thou seest ito 



ETHNE 

Canst find no reason for thy wretchedness? 

DERMOT 

None. I have done naught out of order in 
my daily life. I have attended to the duties of 
a prince; practised the arts of war: thrown the 
javelin, wielded the sling and sword. As befits 
a kindly prince, I led the nobles in the chase. 
Three days past, we sought the boar upon the 
slopes of Royal Mountain. There we paused 
for rest, and, as is my wont, I drank but spar- 
ingly of mead; too much wine confuses in the 
chase. 

ETHNE 

Didst know the man who mixed thy horn of 
mead.P 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 31 



DERMOT 



Domnall, a countryman who dwells in the 
Dark Valley. Once was he servant to the 
Queen, my stepmother; and by his service won 
the land on which he lives. He has attended me 
ere this, when Cailte, my chosen huntsman, has 
not been well. 
[Musing.~\ 

I have heard rumors that the Queen is skilled 
in witchcraft ; yet scarcely have faith she would 
dare outrage on my person ; she loves the King, 
my father, far too well. 



ETHNE 

Most trusting Prince! Dost not know a 

mother's love 
Exceeds the love and service of a wife? 
Well is it I am hither come to show 
The folly of thy trust. The Queen has borne 
Thee hatred ; through her servant and the pow- 
ers 
Of evil in the world, has done thee harm. 
But I am here across the tossing sea 
And all the mountain-peaks of lovely Erin, 



32 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

To bring thee healing from another world. 

I loved thee from afar, and I have known 

The net of witchcraft that has drawn around 

thee. 
Look now and see, reading the hearts of men! 
[She waves the wand with little bells over 
Dermot. a look of horror comes into 
his face, and he covers his eyes.^ 

DERMOT 

I see ! I see ! And now I know the blackness 
of the heart of her I thought once loved me. 
Well do I read the spells of the powers of r'ark- 
ness, and know that in the glade upon the slope 
of Royal Mountain I drank to mine own doom. 
O damsel, sent me by the powers of good, and 
flashing in the Fair}^ color, green; what may I 
do to overcome my fate.^ 

ETHNE 

Come with me to another world 

Over the hills and the sea: 
To an island home by the waves encurled, 
A golden palace with roof impearled, 

And columns of porphyry. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 33 



DERMOT 



O Lady, I follow ; for now I know the end of 
all earthly desire since I know love. 



ETHNE 

Ride with me on my snow-white steed 

Born of the wind-blown foam, 
To the cool green grass of a Fairy mead. 
The joyous life that the Fairies lead 

In their distant Fairy home. 

There will they bring thee balm for thine ill 

Apples of silver and gold 
Crushed and pounded ; a drink to fill 
A golden goblet ; a drink to still 

Men's sufferings manifold. 



DERMOT 

Beloved, I go with thee for my healing. 

[He takes Ethne in his arms.'\ 
Truly, I am beyond the world. Lead on ! 



34 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

ETHNE 

Come where, Time forgotten, Love is all. 
There are my sisters, waiting on the shore 
Beside the little waves that break in foam 
Upon the sanded beach. They'll welcome us; 
And we shall rest above the singing sea. 
Or walk along the meadows hand in hand, 
And in the night-time watch the orange moon 
Set in dark clouds, play with a silver sea. 

DERMOT 

Beloved, come! 

[They go out back, and as they go the 
stage darkens as though the sun had 
gone under a cloud. From without, the 
voice of Ethne dying away in the dis- 
tance as the curtain falls,^ 

ETHNE 

Come with me to another world 

Over the hills and the sea: 
To an island home by the waves encurled, 
A golden palace with roof impearled, 

And columns of porphyry. 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Scene: The Fairy other-world. The 
stage represents a glade at the edge of a 
wood. At the hack an expanse of mead- 
ow, with a glimpse of sea in the far dis- 
tance. There are two entrances on either 
side of the stage, one at the hack and 
one at the front. There is a grassy seat 
under a tree, left, large enough to he 
used as a throne hy the Fairy King 
and Queen. The Fairies who appear in 
this act are, in accordance with Irish 
tradition, of the size of ordinary human 
heings, unless the contrary is specified. 
They should all he dressed in green. 
When the curtain rises, it is early morn- 
ing, shortly after sunrise. Dechtire, 
a Fairy maiden, runs on to the stage 
from left hack. 

dechtire 
Away ! The sun has put his golden glance 
Upon the sleeping sea. Away, away ! 

[Enter Flann, a Fairy, left hack.'] 
35 



36 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

FLANN 

Whither, O maiden, wilt thou fly so fast? 

DECHTIRE 

To the green hills of Erin, and her leafy glades. 
Hast thou no work to do 'mongst mortal men? 

FLANN 

I lend a king my sword and Fairy strength. 

DECHTIRE 

Now must we hasten ; for 'tis said the Prince 
Whom Ethne brought from Erin, seeks to-day 
His father's kingdom. We are summoned 

hither 
By King's command to grace his hour of going. 

FLANN 

We must be swift. The Fairy gates 
Are open, and the charger waits ! 

[They hasten off, right front, Dermot, 

cured of his sickness, and Ethne, enter, 

left front.'] 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 37 



ETHNE 

Wilt thou persist then in thy purpose, thus 
To leave her who has healed thee, and has won 
Thy love; thy comrades, too, in Fairyland? 
Hast thou not found that these our Fairy ways 
Are better than the round of mortal life? 

DERMOT 

Beloved Ethne, only happiness have I known 
since the day thou earnest to my father's hall 
and took me with thee back to Fairyland. 
Swiftly has my sickness gone, and I have re- 
joiced in the long days I have passed with thee, 
thy brothers and sisters on the meadows ; but I 
have duties as a prince. 

ETHNE 

Yet youth is made for love, and in this land 
Youth lives forever. Why wilt thou seek the 

cares 
That crowd on mortal kings : the din of war, 
And all the many trials of a state? 
Scarce a month thou hast been with me; the 

days 
Have slipp'd like pearls along a slender string. 



38 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DERMOT 

Time has been short indeed ; but I have gained 
strength of body and soul. Both thou gavest 
me: the one with thy potions and thy healing 
hands, the other with thy love ; and I would go, 
as every man must wish to go, and show the 
strength of this, thy love, to all the world. 

ETHNE 

That which it may not understand, why show 
The world, when here we know the worth of 
love ? 

DERMOT 

But should I let my father grieve? He 
reared me for my life's work, and the day I 
was to help him bear the burden with the 
strength of youthful years, that strength was 
taken from him. Lonely he sits in hall; now 
that health is come again, should I not seek him, 
tell him I am well.'^ 

ETHNE 

I fear thy going; slowly run the sands 

Down through the hour-glass here in Fairyland. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 39 

DERMOT 

Still must I go. But I will come again to 
claim thee. Thou knowest that I love thee, and 
thy father has promised I may return and take 
thee as my bride back to green Dun Faithci. 

ETHNE 

Even now I fear ; for in the world of men 
Are many pleasures, love but one of them. 

DERMOT 

Canst doubt me thus? Dost thou not know 
that I have longed for love ; for one to help me 
on the difficult days, when I am weary with the 
little things of hfe? I never knew my mother; 
all the love I should have given her is thine. 

ETHNE 

{Clinging to liim.'\ 
Go not ! Some maiden in the mortal world 
May win thy love by giving thee the joys 
Of home, and by the fireside thou'lt forget 
Thy Fairy lover ; unless at sunlight time 
The laughter of thy children in the fields 
Recalls the meadows of this happy isle. 



40 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

DERMOT 

I am not such. Love for me is not so light- 
some. I have promised to return and wed thee, 
•and I can follow the star of Love until the time 
when thou shalt give me all my heart can wish. 

ETHNE 

If thou wilt stay, I'll give thee all things now. 

DERMOT 

[Breaking gently from her restraining 
hands and taking her in his arms.^ 
Peace to thy fears, Beloved ! I know my 
duty, and looking in thine eyes I find the 
strength to do it. I must gladden my father; 
show him I too know how to rule. Swiftly the 
days will pass, and soon my steed will turn to 
Fairyland. 

[Ethne claps her hands, and Fand, her 
handmaiden, enters, left hack.~\ 

ETHNE 

[Sadly, to Fand.] 
Bring my bugle horn. 

[Fand goes out, left hack,^ 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 41 

l^To Dermot.] 

Since, Dermot, thou art firm. 
One gift have I beside mj love to give thee : 
The horn which oft has sounded in the glades 
Of green-hilled Erin, when the cavalcade 
Of Fairies rode through the forest in the chase. 
Sweet are its tones, and sweetly have they sung 
Joy to the huntsman, terror to the boar. 
Seldom have mortals heard its silver voice ; 
Then only children, poets, and the men 
Who love or sorrow — they alone can hear 
The unseen voices from across the world. 

[Fand enters, left back, bearing a bugle 
horn hung from a green and silver bal- 
dric. '\ 

FAND 

Here, Ethne, is the horn thy father gave thee. 

ETHNE 

To thee my thanks. 
\To Dermot.] 

Take thou this horn, O Dermot, 
And when thou findst thyself in need blow thrice 
Thereon. Straightway will I appear and bring 
Courage and counsel out of Fairyland. 



42 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DERMOT 



[Putting the baldric about him,^ 
I shall wear the horn, Beloved, as a gage of 
thy true love. Never will I lack it in chase or 
war. 



ETHNE 



I charge thee blow it only in thy need, 
Not for thy pleasure ; for I may not come 
To the light summons of a lovers' tryst. 



DERMOT 



I shall give heed unto thy counsel. 
[Enter a small Fairy, left bach.'\ 



FAIRY 

Hail, mortal Prince ! The King draws nigh 

With all the pomp of Faery, 

To wish thee good luck and good-bye ! 

[A sound of music without, and the Fairy 
King and Queen enter, left bach, with 
their train. Several small Fairies go 
in front of them scattering flowers. 
Others shake wands hung with silver 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 43 

hells, and one or two have harps in their 
hands. The King and Queen take their 
places on the grassy seat, while the 
Fairies sing or chant the song which fol- 
lows.l 

fairies 

Hither comes the Fairy train 

Round the royal throne again. 

Strike the harp and shake the bells; 

Weave a web of Fairy spells : 

Colors from the rainbow caught, 

Music with Love's lightness fraught, 

Song far sweeter than the bird, 

Or deep voice in the sea-shell heard. 

Come, and with your merry play 

Make a Fairy holiday ! 

[When the King and Queen are seated, the 
Fairies, divided into two groups, join 
hands and dance in front of the throne,} 



FIRST GROUP OF FAIRIES 

Hither comes the Fairy train 
Round the royal throne again. 



44* THE FAIRY BRIDE 



SECOND GROUP OF FAIRIES 

Come, and with your merry play 

Make a Fairy holiday ! 
[The Fairies dance and 'play merrily for 
some minutes. A few of them stop at 
last and speak as follows, the others con- 
tinuing their play and dancing. ~\ 



FIRST FAIRY 

Hail to the Fairy King ! 



SECOND FAIRY 

Hail to the loveliest of immortal women ! 



THIRD FAIRY 

Hail to the mortal Prince ! 

[Dermot and Ethne have stood a little 
apart during the rollicking. When the 
King raises his sceptre to stop the mer- 
riment, they are, however, in the front 
rank of the Fairies.^ 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 45 



KING 

Peace to your laughter, though it glads my 

heart. 
Companions in Fairyland; subjects of my 

crown ! 
I called ye hither from the flowery meads, 
The sandy margent of the azure sea. 
And dearer duties in the distant world, 
Where ye were gone to heal the sick in mind 
Or body, to bring them here, perchance, for 

rest: 
I summoned ye to tell ye that our guest. 
The mortal prince whom Ethne brought and 

healed 
With all the cunning skill that makes her best 
Among her sisters of the royal house — 
This Dermot is determined he will leave 
Our pleasure and our play, to seek the world 
Once more : not led thereto for any lack 
In gratitude, but duty to his king 
And father, who rear'd his eldest son to 

reign. 
Ye know how Buan with malicious wiles 
Brought sickness on him which at last is healed. 



46 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

FIRST FAIRY 

We know the wicked Queen who leagues herself 
With spirits of the air, our enemies. 

SECOND FAIRY 

Aye, and we would confound her utterly ! 

KING 

Stand forth. Prince Dermot ! I would give thee 

now 
My blessing, and a gift from Fairyland, 
[Dermot comes before the throne,'] 

DERMOT 

I am here, O King! 

KING 

Bring me the Fairy sword. 

\_A Fairy brings a sword in a beautifully 
embroidered scabbard and gives it to 
the King.] 

This sword, O Dermot, 
Was wrought by Fairy smiths on golden anvils ; 
The scabbard broidered by the slender hands 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 47 

Of Ethne's sisters. Naught can withstand the 

blade — 
Nor rock, nor toughness of the forest oak. 
Read now the letters we have writ thereon. 

[He gives the sword to Dermot, who 
draws the blade from the scabbard.} 

DERMOT 

\^Reading.'] 
"Be patient." Thanks, O King, both for the 
gift and for the counsel! 

KING 

Patience is the toughness of the mind and heart ; 
The test of finer natures, that most surely wins 
Through all the conflicts of the mortal world. 
Wield well the sword ; for it shall never fail. 
Yet bear it only in a righteous cause ; 
Then will it flash in air as fire of lightning ; 
But, drawn to baser uses, dully gleam. 

DERMOT 

My thanks again, O King ! Now would I bid 
ye all farewell, comrades of Fairyland ! But ere 
I ride across the murmuring, tranquil sea back 



48 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

to green Erin, I would ask again that which I 
asked before, and won thy kind consent; for I 
would have those words the last I hear in Fairy- 
land. 

KING 

Say on! Speak freely both thy mind and 
heart ! 

DERMOT 

Ethne, come hither! 

[Ethne comes and stands beside Der- 

MOT.] 

Well dost thou know, O King of Fairyland, 
thy daughter led me from my father's hall by 
the power of love; and, with the vision of 
Queen Euan's wickedness, I saw one too of per- 
fect love. Since I know no mortal may find his 
way hither without thy consent, I would ask to 
return and claim thy daughter as my bride. 

KING 

Once more I grant thy wish, since Ethne loves 

thee. 

ethne 
And have loved him from the morning of the 

world. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 49 

KING 

Yet I must charge thee, as thou wouldst re- 
turn, 
To touch no wine until the sun is set 
Upon the day that sees thee back again 
In green Dun Faithci ; till the evening hour 
To tell no mortal where thy sojourn was: 
Else shall the Fairy steed that waits thee now 
Without the forest glade, knowing the way 
From Erin into Fairyland, vanish ; 
And though thou shalt be longing to return, 
Until the world's end thou'lt not accomphsh it. 



DERMOT 

I give my promise. I shall count the days 

ere I come to wed with Ethne. For all who 

work in the world there needs must be a place to 

rest and dream — that place for me is Fairyland. 

[A Fairy enter Sy right hack.l 



FAIRY 

Now, O King, the Fairy gates 
Are open, and the charger waits! 



50 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DERMOT 

Once more, O King, I bid thee farewell, and 
give thee a hundred thousand thanks for all 
thy kindness and thy gifts — and to ye all, my 
comrades! Now will I speed with joy across 
the singing sea back to the world. 
[To Ethne.] 

Beloved, farewell! Thy skill hath healed me 
and thy love hath made me strong! Thy pres- 
ence will be with me, though unseen, until I 
come again. 

[Dermot and Ethne emhrace.'\ 



KING 

Remember well my words of caution, Prince ! 

FAIRIES 

Remember well! 

DERMOT 

In truth I will. No word shall pass my lips 
where I was healed, nor will I taste wine before 
the sun is set on the day I see the world again. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 51 

ETHNE 

Farewell, may my true love guard thee ever- 
more ! 

[Dermot goes out, right hack, the Fairies 
crowding up stage and waving good- 
hye.'] 

KING 

Music and song, O Fairies, to speed our guest ! 
[The Fairies join hands and dance and 
sing the following song; going, as they 
sing the last verses, out at right hack, 
leaving the King and Queen seated on 
the throne and Ethne standing on the 
left of it, as the curtain slowly falls,^ 



fairies 

Join hands again in the Fairy dance, 
And away to the flow'ring lea. 
Where the dew is cool 
On our dancing feet. 
And the breeze blows fresh from the sea. 



52 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

The cares of the world to the world belong; 
But Love is ours alway; 

While the stars go out, 

And the moon sinks down, 
And day comes after day. 

Why reck we then of pain or woe, 
Since Love is over all; 

And Sorrow dies 

At the sight of Love, 
And Time is the lovers' thrall. 

Join hands again in the Fairy dance, 
And away to the meadows free! 
Where the sun shines clear. 
And the moon comes slow 
From the breast of the crooning sea. 

CUETAIN 



ACT III 

Scene: Same as Act I, after the lapse of 
a year. Enter Donn, left front, cross- 
ing to window. 



DONN 

The time is almost here for the gathering of 
the nobles. There is no word of Prince Der- 
mot, and the kingdom goes awry. 
[Enter Servant, hack,'\ 



SERVANT 

The British Prince who shared the hospitality 
of this house a year ago, craves the courtesy 
again, O Donn! 

DONN 

Bid him enter. 

[Servant goes out door, back, and re- 
turns with CUNEDDA.] 
53 



54 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

CUNEDDA 

Once more, O Donn, I seek the shelter of the 
roof of King Fergus and refreshment for my- 
self and for my steed. I journey home from 
Tara. 

BONN 

Welcome art thou. 

[To Servant.] 
See to the Prince's steed. 

[Servant goes out, hach,'\ 

[To Cunedda.] 
Was thy sojourn happy at the High King's 
court .f^ 

cunedda 

Right royal was my entertainment, and weU 
was I instructed in the duties of a prince. The 
King himself took me with him to the west; 
taught me the art of war. From the High 
Druid I learned the famous tales of Erin: of 
Deirdre, the beauteous maid, and the deeds of 
the boy champion of Ulster. I was trained too 
in law and custom. Now am I worthy to help 
my father rule. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 55 

DONN 

Indeed there is no court in all the world where 
thou couldst have been better taught. 

CTJNEDDA 

I would ask, O Donn, for tidings of Prince 
Dermot. I mind me on the day I sojourned 
here a year ago, he was to have been chosen 
heir to his father's throne. A sore affliction 
kept him from the nobles' choice. 

DONN 

The King, his father, in all love granted him 
a year for healing; but on that very day Prince 
Dermot disappeared; and there has come no 
word of him, nor did he take aught with him 
for a journey. Messengers were sent to all 
the courts of Erin, but none has seen him. 

CUNEDDA 

Thou toldest me a tale of witchcraft, if I am 
not at fault. The Queen, stepmother to the 
Prince, was rumored in league with evil powers. 



56 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



DONN 

In truth there has been doubt of the Queen, 
and yet no proof. Some say she has been heard 
to utter spells, though no mischief has been 
proved upon her. All who were with the Prince 
ere he vanished, are well, save only Domnall, 
who served him on the hunt. One day, close by 
the field in which he kept his cows, Domnall was 
found slain with a sword-thrust through the 
body. He attended Prince Connla in the chase ; 
and Prince Connla is a violent man. All is most 
strange. Domnall once was servant to the 
Queen. 



CUNEDDA 

Since Prince Dermot is gone, do not the 
nobles meet around this time to choose his 
younger brother .^^ 

DONN 

Again hast thou been happy in thy coming; 
for on this day, and soon, the nobles gather ; but 
there is doubt they will choose Prince Connla. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 57 

CUNEDDA 

Since he is son to the reigning King, should 
he not have the nobles' voice? 

DONN 

Thou sayest truth, and well at Tara hast 
thou learned the law. Yet is it but custom the 
nobles should choose from the household of the 
reigning king. "A prince of royal race" is all 
the law demands; and there is more than one 
such within the boundaries of the kingdom of 
Fergus 



IS. 

CUNEDDA 



If not Prince Connla, whom will the nobles 
choose; and why do they scorn the monarch's 
second son? 

DONN 

Donagh Mac Colum is favored; but there is a 
party for Prince Connla. I told thee once of 
Connla's sullen temper. Seldom has he led the 
nobles in the chase, and has been sparing in gifts 
and entertainment, save to a few— and they 
needs must love him well. Quick is he to wrath. 



58 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

and slow to stay his hand. The death of Dom 
nail has not served to give the nobles trust. 



CUNEDDA 

What news, then, of the King and Queen? 

BONN 

Oft Queen Buan urged the King to have the 
Druids and nobles name Prince Connla ere the 
year was gone ; yet has King Fergus ever been 
firm. "A year I gave, and till the year is 
ended I shall not change," has Fergus oft re- 
plied ; although the Queen has whispered that 
the Fairies, or mayhap evil powers, has^e taken 
Dermot, and no more will he be seen of mortal 
eyes. 

\_Enter, right. King Fergus and Queen 

Buan, attended hy two Druids and one 

or two Nobles.] 



KING 

O Donn, thou art in idle chatter when the time 
is come to bring the nobles hither. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 59 

QUEEN 

The sun is half above the summit of the hill. 

BONN 

O King, I shall do thy bidding; but first I 
would present the Prince who on this day one 
year ago craved rest and entertainment. 

CTJNEDDA 

Cunedda, son to Urien, King of Britain, I 
journey home from Tara. I ask to share thy 
house this day and night. 

KING 

Thy wish is granted. Never shall it be said 
that Fergus grudged comfort to a stranger. 
Summon, O Donn, the nobles hither ! Buan, 
come to thy throne 1 

[King Fergus leads Queen Buan to her 
throne and seats himself beside her, 
DoNN takes from the wall, left, the 
trumpet, as in Act I; goes to the door, 
back, and sounds a call. Through this 



60 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

door^ and that at the left front, enter 
the Nobles ; each saluting the King and 
Queen as he takes his place. While the 
Nobles are gathering, the King and 
Queen speak together.^ 



QUEEN 

Now, O Fergus, the year is sped, and thou 
hast no word of Dermot. Truth did I speak in 
saying he was gone from mortal sight forever. 



KING 

And yet another is not chosen; there is still 
time for Dermot. O Dermot, if thou art not 
beyond the world, hasten and come ; I long to see 
thee reign ! 

queen 

[Smiling,'] 
There is no answer. Thy words beat upon 
the air as the wings of a caged bird. Look, the 
nobles are now assembled ; send for Prince Conn- 
la, that he may be chosen as befits the law ! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 61 



KING 



[Rousing himself from reverie.^ 
O Bonn, go and bring Prince Connla hither! 
[DoNN goes out door, left hack. The King 
sinks again into reverie.^ 

FIRST NOBLE 

Has no word been heard, then, of Prince Der- 
mot? 

SECOND NOBLE 

None; and he will no more be seen in the 
world The powers of evil have him, and even 
now he is at the court of Balor. Choose thou 
Prince Connla; he is well and strong, and e en 
as proper a prince as Dermot. 

aUEEN 

Well said. 

FIRST NOBLE 

My voice shall ne'er be raised for Connla. 
Skilled is he in the arts of war, and yet more 
skilled in trickery. Seldom has he led us on 
the hunt, or greased our knives in feasting. 



62 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

And he who last went hunting with him lies 
underground. 

SECOND NOBLE 

Peace to thine insolence! 
[Showing a bracelet. '\ 
He gave me this not three days since. My 
voice is raised for Connla. 

\_One or two other Nobles cry, "Prince 
Connla!"] 



THIRD NOBLE 

Since Dermot is not here, I am for Donagh 
Mac Colum. Noble his lineage, and ere this his 
fathers have sat upon the throne. Generous is 
he, and eager in the chase. 

[A majority of the Nobles cry, "Donagh 
Mac Colum !" There is some confusion, 
due to the Nobles shouting for their 
favorites, which awakens the King from 
brooding. '\ 

KING 

Silence ! This is the royal court and not the 
place for brawls. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 63 



DONN 

\_Appearing at door, left back.'] 
Way for Prince Connla! 

[^The Nobles are silent, and separate to 

allow Connla, preceded hy Donn, to 

approach the throne,] 



CONNLA 

I am here, O King ! 

KING 

Once more, O nobles, are ye summoned to 
choose one to follow me upon the throne. The 
year is past I gave Prince Dermot for his heal- 
ing. He is not here, nor has there come word 
of his welfare. Now will ye choose one in his 
stead to reign. The Druids will examine him, 
that he bears no blemish. As the custom is, I 
offer first Prince Connla for your choice. 

[The door at the hack opens, and Dermot 
appears on the threshold, wearing 
Ethne's bugle horn slung from his 
shoulder and the Fairy sword.] 



64i THE FAIRY BRIDE 

DERMOT 

Victory and blessing of the gods upon thee, 
O Fergus ! And on ye all, O nobles ! 

[^The court is astounded by the reappear- 
ance of Dermot well and strong y and for 
a moment no one speaks.^ 

FIRST NOBLE 

He is come again! 

DONN 

And he is well once more ; the glow of health 
is in his cheeks. 

QUEEN 

The Fairies have given him up. 

CONNLA 

The gods have turned against me, 

SECOND NOBLE 

Now is my favor doomed! 

THIRD NOBLE 

We'll make our choice in truth, O Fergus ! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 65 

KING 

\_Who has risen to his feet at sight of Der- 

MOT.] 

Welcome art thou indeed, my son ! 

QUEEN 

Welcome, forsooth, to me ! 



DERMOT 

I am come, O Father, to tell thee I am healed. 
\^Looling about him.] 

Yet why do I see this gathering of men— the 
Druids of the court, as on the day I left thee? 
Thou gayest me a year for healing; and m a 
month I find the nobles gathered as though they 
would choose one to supplant me in my right by 
ancient custom. Wouldst give me but a month, 
O Father? 

BONN 

A month, O boy? The year has turned to 
autumn, and the spring is come again, since 
thou didst leave this hall a year ago. 



66 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

DERMOT 

A year ! 

[Half to himself.^ 
Then was that month by mortal time a year? 

QUEEN 

[Aside to Connla.] 
See how he changes color. He has been to 
Fairyland, where a year seems but a month. 

CONNIiA 

I mark him well. 

KING 

A year, O son! But thou art still in time. 
The Druids have not chosen. 

DERMOT 

Well am I sped. I must give thee greeting, 
O my Father ! 

\_He approaches the throne. The King 
embraces him^ as does the Queen, half- 
heartedly. His brother, Connla, fol- 
lows suit.'] 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 67 



QUEEN 

I am ungracious I did not bid thee welcome 
long ere this. So glad was I of thy return, joy 
robbed me of my voice. 



CONNLA 

As it did me. 

QUEEN 

Yet I would ask thee, since thou seemest 
healed, in what place thou wert cured; for I 
would know, should any here be sick. Truly, the 
leech who cured thee was well skilled; for thou 
wert sick indeed! 

DERMOT 

Swiftly have I come from the court which saw 
my healing, and am but just in time. I ask thee. 
Father, bid the nobles and the Druids now give 
judgment. I am well, and I am fit to rule. 



KING 

O nobles 



68 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



QUEEN 

[Catching him hy the sleeve and breaking 
in upon him.^ 
Justice I ask, O King, before thou callest for 
judgment! There is no true judgment without 
justice. 

FIRST NOBLE 

We shall give justice indeed: Dermot has re- 
appeared. 

[^There are cries of "Dermot!" from sev- 
eral Nobles.] 

KING 

[Turning to Queen, and fiercely,^ 
What wouldst thou, woman ! 

FIRST DRUID 

She has a right to justice. 

queen 

I ask, O King and nobles of the court, but 
justice for my son and for Prince Dermot! 
Thou hast upheld the law that none can reign 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 69 

who bears a blemish. Of a sudden was Prince 
Dermot smitten with sickness, and there was 
whisper round the court of witchcraft and 
spells — laid at my door by some. I know ye 
well, O nobles, who are my friends ! Then did 
Prince Dermot vanish, and no word from him 
until to-day he comes and says that he is cured. 
May not this, too, be witchcraft.? 

THIRD NOBLE 

She speaks some truth. 

SECOND NOBLE 

She has spoken well, as must the mother of 
Prince Connla. 

ITJiere is an uneasy stir among the No- 
bles.] 

second druid 

In truth, O King, there is reason in what she 
says! 

aUEEN 

Since there is room for doubt, I bid thee wait, 
O King, to see if Dermot shall be well. In a 
week's time call the nobles hither. 



70 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

FIRST DRUID 

She asks but justice, O King! 

KING 

And as a just King I can but grant her plea. 
[He leans his head on his hand and again 
falls into a reverie. li 



QUEEN 

Thy son, O King, has not yet said where he 
was healed ; he answered, when I asked, that he 
came swiftly thence unto thy court. 



KING 

[To Dermot.] 
Thou hearest what the Queen says. 



DERMOT 

Until the sun Is gone behind the hill, as now 
he is half gone, I will not tell my story. Then 
would I summon the leech who tended me. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 71 

KING 

Since ye may not choose now, O nobles, I bid 
ye come with me to the green without, there to 
hold games in honor of my son's return; and, 
when ye have your fill of sport, come once more 
within the hall to feast with me and hear Prince 
Dermot's story. See, O Donn, that all is well 
ordered. 

[Donn goes out at 6acA:.] 

NOBLES 

Victory and blessing be upon thee, O Fergus ! 

KING 

Follow me ! 

\_The King goes out, hack, followed hy the 
Nobles. The Queen and Connla lin- 
ger in the hall. Donn reenters from 
hack and goes out again, left fore- 
ground, from where Servants appear 
hringing a tahle which they set up in 
front of the throne, so that the King and 
Queen may he at the head of the tahle. 
Donn, who has entered with Servants 



72 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

and given them directions, then goes out 
at hack. Throughout the following scene 
the Servants are up stage, and the 
Queen and Connla down. Occasional 
shouts are heard from those in the 
games without,^ 

QUEEN 

Now, O Connla, is mine hour ended, and I am 
overthrown. Balor and the powers of darkness 
assist me ! 

[She paces up and down,'] 

CONNLA 

Mother, do not grieve, there still is hope. All 
is not lost. Thou sayest Dermot has been 
healed in Fairyland? 

QUEEN 

Such my belief, since he will not tell his tale 
till after sunset. This speaks a custom of the 
Fairy King, who bids those mortals who have 
seen the Plain of Light never to say where they 
have visited till sunset on the day they reach 
the world again; else may they nevermore see 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 73 

Fairyland. All who have found it long to tell 
of its perfection. 

CONNLA 

We may not hope to make Dermot speak be- 
fore the appointed time; his mind is given to 
the games. All I have done is vain : the death of 
Domnall lest he should tell thy secrets, the pres- 
ents I have given to win the nobles. 



QUEEN 

The spells that I have woven. 

[Both the Queen and Connla are moodily 

silent for a moment. Then a joyous look 

overspreads the Queen's countenance.^ 

Though we may not keep Dermot from the 

throne ; yet may we deprive him of the Land of 

Youth forever. There is another custom of 

the Fairy King I had well nigh forgotten. Each 

mortal who has been to Fairyland is charged to 

drink no wine before the evening of the day he 

is returned to earth. Through this may we 

trick Dermot in the coming feast and win our 

revenge. 



74 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



CONNLA 

We may indeed; for I, his loving brother, 
will sit beside him. Long is it since we have 
sat together, and my love is grown during his 
absence. 

QUEEN 

I shall take his attention at the feast by guile. 

CONNLA 

And when he thinks on what thou sayest, I 
will spill wine from out my cup upon his food. 

QUEEN 

And he will taste of it, and thus be doomed. 
We may not win the throne, but we may win his 
happiness ! 

\_B2/ this time the Servants have made 
ready the table in front of the throne, 
DoNN enters from hack.'\ 

SERVANT 

[Who has been arranging table,'\ 
The feast is ready, O Donn! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 75 

DONN 

I go to call the King. 
[DoNN goes out, hach^l 

QUEEN 

Watch well, O son, that we miss not our 
chance ! 

CONNLA 

I shall watch thee as the cat his mother. 

QUEEN 

Be thou as quick. 

[Enter King, Donn and Nobles, hack,'] 

KING 

Welcome are ye, O nobles, at the feast! 

Come, O Queen, and sit beside me on the throne. 

Warriors and nobles, range yourselves about us ! 

[The King and Queen take their places 

and the Nobles follow their example. 

As they seat themselves the -following 

dialogue occurs.^ 



76 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



FIRST NOBLE 



Well matched were the games. 

[To CUNEDDA.] 

O Prince, thou hast learned much skill with 
weapons at Tara ! 

CUNEDDA 

My thanks. Great is the prowess of the 
King and the warriors about him. 

[jB?/ this time the guests are seated, Der- 
MOT at the right of the King, Cunedda 
on the left, and next Cunedda, Donn. 
Only CoNNLA is left standing,'] 

CONNLA 

Long is it since I have been with my brother, 
O King, and lonely were the days I passed with- 
out him ; deeply I sorrowed for his sickness that 
granted me the right which now is his again. 
May I then sit beside him at the feast in proof 
of love.^^ 

KING 

Seemly thy speech, O Connla, and thy request 
is granted. 

[CoNNLA sits down beside Dermot.] 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 77 

The royal house of Fergus is now one again ! 
Let the feast begin ! 

[Servants enter from left front, bearing a 
roasted boar on a large platter which is 
set before the King. Other Servants go 
about with jugs, filling the guests' cups 
with meadJ^ 

DONN 

[Rising. 1 
Carve the boar, O King! 

[He gives the King a large knife, with 
which Fergus cuts up the boar, the por- 
tions being distributed by the Servants. J^ 

CONNLA 

[Raising his cup,'\ 
I call upon ye all to drink to Dermot ! 

NOBLES 

Victory and blessing upon thee, O Dermot! 
[They drink.'\ 

DERMOT 

I give ye all thanks. 



78 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



CUNEDDA 

Wondrous thy deeds in the games, O Dermot ! 
Well was thy sickness cured. 

DERMOT 

Skilled was the leech who tended me. 

KING 

Thou art more hardy than e'er before. Well 
didst thou win the race ; although Cunedda, who 
finished nearest thee, has been trained by the 
High King, famed for skill and hardiness in war 
and sport. 

DERMOT 

And well, Cunneda, didst thou win with the 
javelin. 

CUNEDDA 

A sport I practised in mine own land ere I 
crossed the sea to Erin. 



KING 

I missed thee in the games, O Connla ! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 79 



aUEEN 

I was not well disposed, and bade my son stay 
with me here. 

THIRD NOBLE 

Wondrous thy sword feats, O Dermot ! 

SECOND NOBLE 

I do not know thy sword. 'Tis not the one 
thou hadst a year ago ? 

DERMOT 

A present of the King in whose court I was. 

FIRST NOBLE 

I looked upon the rock thou smotest; a 
mighty boulder that three horses scarce might 
move ; yet was it split asunder. 

DERMOT 

Wondrous the temper of my sword ; for cun- 
ning were the smiths who fashioned it. 



80 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

THIRD NOBLE 

E'en did it cut a tiny thing as well. I marked 
me when the bird flew by, scattering his feathers, 
thou clovest one of them in twain as it fell 
through the air. 

QUEEN 

Since thy sword can do such feats, canst cut 
the bee now flying round thine head in twain ? 
[Dermot turns round in a vain search for 
the bee. The Nobles are watching him. 
He half draws his sword as he looks. By 
a quick movement, Connla spills wine 
from his goblet over Dermot's food un- 
noticed by any one but the Queen.] 

dermot 
I see no bee. 

aUEEN 

Thou wast not quick enough; he darted by. 
[Dermot turns to the table again. He 
tastes the wine on his food, and im- 
mediately leaves his plate untouched. 
He pretends to drink to cover his con- 
fusion which, however, the Queen no- 
tices. 1 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 81 

QUEEN 

The time must now be here, O Dermot, for 
thee to tell the story of thy healing. 

DERMOT 

Go thou, O Ere, and see if the sun be gone 
behind the top of Royal Mountain. 

[first noble rises and goes to window. J 

FIRST noble 

The sun is just now hidden, and the western 
sky is changed to many colors ; the shadows 
lengthen on the mountain-side. 

DERMOT 

The hour is come, O King, when I must keep 
my word and tell ye all my story; but first I 
would summon the leech who healed me. Know, 
O King, that I am one of those blest mortals 
who has been to Fairyland. 

king 
To Fairyland! And thou hast returned? 



82 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

QUEEN 

Connla, did I not speak truth? 

DERMOT 

1 have returned, O Father, because my duty 
is to reign. Well didst thou train me in the 
duties of a prince. I could not leave thee; 
though for a time I must bring grief unto thine 
heart. 

KING 

O son, my labors have not been in vain ! 

DERMOT 

Yet, with all mortals who have fou«nd the 
Fairy world, I long again to travel thither ; and 
chiefly since a maiden fairer than all mortal 
women waits me. Ere I speak further, wound- 
ing thine heart with a tale of baseness that must 
touch thee nearly, I would summon her; with 
whom I ride, when all this state is settled, back 
to Fairyland, to wed her at her father's court. 
Sweet Ethne, come! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 83 

\^He puts the horn to his lips and blows, but 
there is no sound despite his efforts. 
After a moment of respectful silence, the 
Nobles break into derisive laughter.^ 



SECOND NOBLE 

Thou hast not breath enough; far is it to 
Fairyland. 

FOURTH NOBLE 

Methought I heard a sound. 



FIFTH NOBLE 

Being mortals merely, we may not hear the 
Fairy horn. 

CONNLA 

Thou sayest, brother, thou hast been to 
Fairyland, yet canst give no proof. 



QUEEN 

The Fairy horn was taken from our cow that 
died this morning. 



84 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



SECOND NOBLE 



Out with the imposter; he is not really well! 
Let him go back to Fairyland and bring us a 



sign ! 

\_Several Nobles rise, go over to Dermot 
and put their hands on his shoulder, as 
if to hurry him out of the hall. He sits 
dejected and unresisting in his place. '\ 

FIRST NOBLE 

[Rising.^ 
I will not have him touched. To me all who 
will defend Prince Dermot ! 

[A number of the Nobles group themselves 
about him, crying, "/, /," and "Dermot 
forever!^'^ 

THIRD NOBLE 

There is trickery abroad. 

CONNLA 

Out with him ! I should have been chosen by 
the Druids had it not been for his tales. To me 
all who stand for justice in this land! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 85 

{Several Nobles group about Connla, 
crying, ''JusticeT and "Connla for- 
everr''\ 

QUEEN 

Well done, my son ! 

[There is considerable clamor,'] 



KING 

Sound the horn for silence, O Donn ! 

[DoNN is unable to get across the hall in 
the confusion.] 



KING 

Silence ! Silence ! 

\The Nobles give no heed to the King, 
who is about to step from the throne to 
interpose between the parties, when the 
door at the back opens, revealing 
Ethne on the threshold, dressed as in 
the first Act. The sound of the door 
opening attracts the attention of those 
in strife. They pause, and are aston- 
ished hy the sight of Ethne.] 



86 THE FAIRY BRIDE 



ETHNE 

What means the clamor in thine hall, O Fer- 
gus? 

l^No one answers for a moment. The 
Nobles unconsciously step aside, leaving 
a passage for Ethne to advance to- 
wards the throne,} 



KING 

[After a pause, and slowly.'] 
I now see wonders. The dreams of youth are 
made reality ! 

QUEEN 

My strength is overthrown ; the powers of 
Fairyland are come to help him. 



DERMOT 

\Who has watched with rapture the ar- 
rival of Ethne.] 
It is thou hast kept the tryst, O Ethne ! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 87 

ETHNE 

Now will I tell, O Fergus, all the tale 

Of Dermot. Sit thou upon the throne once 

more; 
There majst thou best give judgment at the 
end. 

\_The King resumes his place on the throne. 
The Queen looks with frightened eyes 
on Ethne.] 

KING 

Say on, O maiden! 



ethne 

Thou seest Ethne, daughter to the King 
Of Fairyland. Long did I love Prince Dermot ; 
And when I saw the spells Queen Buan wove 
To win the kingship for her son. Prince Conn- 

la, 
The magic sickness by her brought on Der- 
mot — 
I came in haste across the western sea, 
And bore him with me to the Land of Youth. 



88 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

KING 

Queen Buan, a traitor to my bosom! 

ETHNE 

One final Fairy gift have I, power 
To show thee and thy court the hearts of Buan 
And Connla. Behold, and judge them justly 
now! 

l^She shakes her wand with little hells. An 
expression of horror comes over the 
faces of the King and Nobles.] 

FIRST NOBLE 

Blackness of heart, and all the practices of 
wickedness, I see ! 

SECOND NOBLE 

Murderer, thy hands are stained with Dom- 
nall's blood! 

[Connla shrinks from several Nobles who 
seize him.l 

THIRD noble 

Unnatural woman ! 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 89 

FOURTH NOBLE 

Traitor to thy brother, thy doom is death! 

FIFTH NOBLE 

With trickery thou thoughtst to gain the 
throne that was thy brother's right. 

KING 

Lead hence Queen Buan ancIPrince Connla ! 

[^Several Nobles seize the Queen.'] 
To-morrow will I judge them; I may not 
defile the happiness of this meeting. 

[Nobles go out left front, with Queen 
Buan and Prince Connla.] 

aUEEN 

\^As she is led off.] 
The vengeance of Balor and the powers of 
evil fall on ye all ! 

CONNLA 

\_As he goes out.] 
False friends ; for this have I paid ye gold ! 



90 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

[During the following scene the Nobles 
who have taken off the Queen and 
CoNNLA return.^ 

ETHNE 

Now, justice done, I will complete my story. 
On the happy meadows was Prince Dermot 

healed. 
And there I won his love; yet could not win 
His promise to remain with me forever. 
The mortal call of duty sounded still 
Upon his ears ; he had not learned that Love 
Is all, and Love and Duty one in Fairyland. 

KING 

Well hast thou proved thy father's trust, O 
Dermot ! 

ETHNE 

Then, since he would return, my bugle horn 
I gave him ; bade him in his direst need 
Blow thrice thereon. Straightway would I ap- 
pear. 
My father granted then his suit : consent 
To come again to Fairyland and wed 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 91 

With me; yet charged him he should touch no 

wine 
Before the sun was set upon the day 
That saw him in thine hall once more; to tell 
No mortal of his healing, under pain 
Of coming nevermore to Fairyland. 



DERMOT 

But I have tasted wine, and so am doomed. 

ETHNE 

Peace to thy fears. Beloved; for the King, 
My father, in his wisdom judged not thus. 
The spirit of thy promise thou hast kept, 
Broken the letter only. I am come, 
A mortal woman, here to wed with thee. 
Bearing my father's blessing. Fairy nature 
Is mine no more. Because thou hast touch'd 

wine, 
Never mayest thou return to Fairyland; 
But I will stay henceforward in the world. 
And by our love shall we be made immortal! 



92 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

DERMOT 

\_Embracing Ethne.] 
By such love am I made immortal now! We 
shall reign together through the years ; and, at 
the end, pass in the fullness of our time to 
the meadows we once have known ; there live and 
love forever! 

KING 

O Ethne, a hundred thousand thanks were not 
enough for all that thou hast done ! I am 
forever grateful to the Fairies, the unseen 
spirits who live to favor mortal men. I wel- 
come thee and Dermot, giving him my throne, 
and to ye both my blessing. O nobles, choose 
now whom ye will have to reign ! 

NOBLES 

[With one voice. 1^ 
We choose Prince Dermot! 

KING 

\_To Druids. 1 
Ye have heard the nobles' choice, O Druids, 
and seen Prince Dermot safe and well from 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 93 

Fairyland. Speak, that we know him free of 
blemish, and fit to reign according to the law! 



FIRST DRUID 



[Coming before the throne.'\ 
We know him clean of sickness. 



SECOND DRUID 



Skilled is he in the learning of the land which 
we have taught him. 



KING 



O son, from this time forth I grant to thee 
my sceptre ! 

[The King comes doxan from the throne 
and hisses Dermot and Ethne, giving 
Dermot his crown and sceptre, while the 
Nobles acclaim "King Dermot !" The 
new King and Queen tahe their places 
on the thrones,'] 
Now will I leave thee with thy bride, O Der- 
mot ! Thy wedding shall be soon, and I pro- 
claim a month of games and feasting in thine 
honor. 



94 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

[The Nobles leave the hall by the bach and 
left front, each bowing to Dermot and 
Ethne. When they have all departed, 
Dermot turns to Ethne.] 

DERMOT 

Beloved, they are gone; and I would put 
aside a monarch's state awhile. The moon 
must now be risen past the hill, and all the 
earth bathed in silver light. Let us look upon 
that scene of peace together. 

[They come down from their thrones. 
Dermot places his arm round Ethne's 
waist, and they go to the door at back. 
When the door is open, the fields and 
distant mountains are seen shimmering 
in moonlight. The lovers pause, enrap- 
tured, on the threshold. From the dis- 
tance a murmur of Fairy voices, sing- 
ing.] 

fairies 
Join hands again in the Fairy dance, 
And away to the flow'ring lea. 
Where the dew is cool 
On our dancing feet. 
And the breeze blows fresh from the sea. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 95 

The cares of the world to the world belong; 
But Love is ours alway; 

While the stars go out, 

And the moon sinks down, 
And day comes after day. 

[^There is a momentary pause in the song,'\ 



ETHNE 

The Fairies to the mountain-top are come 

For dancing; I can almost hear their voices. 

[^The song continues more faintly, dying 

away in the distance. As the curtain 

falls, Dermot and Ethne go out into 

the moonlight. '\ 



FAIRIES 

Why reck we then of pain or woe, 

Since Love is over all, 
And Joy is born 
In the heart of Love, 

And Time is the lovers' thrall. 



96 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

Join hands again in the Fairy dance, 
And away to the meadows free ! 
Where the sun shines clear, 
And the moon comes slow. 
From the breast of the crooning sea. 



CURTAIN 



APPENDIX 

In case an outdoor setting for Act II cannot 
be arranged, the stage may be set as follows : 

Scene. — The throne room of the palace of 
the King of the Fairies. This should preferable/ 
be lit by artificial light (one account of the 
palace of the Fairy King describes it as il- 
lumined by a single diamond). Two thrones 
are arranged at the left. There are two doors 
on either side of the stage, and one at the bach, 
leading into the outer air. There is also a 
window at the back, through which can be seen 
a glimpse of meadow with the sea in the dis- 
tance. 

To suit this setting, the speech of the Fairy 
King on page 49, line 7, must be changed to 
read: 

Without the palace door, knowing the way. 

Of course by a few simple changes the whole 
play can be given outdoors. 

A few suggestions in regard to costume and 
properties may be useful for those who have 
97 



98 THE FAIRY BRIDE 

not Joyce's "Social History of Ancient Ire- 
land" accessible. The ancient Irish wore 
clothes of linen and woollen; but the upper 
classes were fond of silk and satin. All loved 
bright colors, and one of the kings made a 
regulation that the number of colors a man 
might wear should indicate his rank: a slave 
might wear one color, a farmer two, and so on 
up to kings, queens and high Druids, who might 
each wear six. Sons of chiefs are to be dressed 
in red, green or brown clothes, and those of in- 
ferior ranks in grey, yellow and black. The 
mantles of sons of inferior kings should be fast- 
ened with a silver brooch. 

The most usual costume for the ancient 
Irishman engaged in outdoor life, seems to have 
been a loose tunic coming to the knee: the kilt 
originally came from Ireland. This tunic was 
generally dyed saffron. Over this might be 
worn a cape for the shoulders with or without a 
hood. Such a costume would be appropriate for 
the Princes and most of the nobles : indeed for 
all who could be classed as warriors. Instead 
of the short cape, the Druids, and some of the 
older men, might have a large, loose, though 
shaped cloak reaching to the knees or ankles. 



THE FAIRY BRIDE 99 

and having a fringed border. This cloak may 
be all of one color, or spotted or striped with 
several colors. King Fergus might wear, in- 
stead of the cloak, a tight-fitting coat with 
sleeves and no collar, reaching to the middle of 
the thigh. Below this he would have the kilt. 
One or two of the characters, especially the 
older men, could wear trousers tight enough to 
show the shape of the leg, and fastened by a 
strap under the foot. The fighting men should 
wear sandals ; others, and the women, shoes of 
soft leather similar to moccasins. 

The women should wear a long gown or kirtle, 
and over this either the long cloak described 
above, or a tunic of many folds and much ma- 
terial, reaching to the feet. 

The Nobles should be armed with swords in 
scabbards, and carry small wooden or wicker- 
work shields of from thirteen to twenty inches 
in diameter. Some of them could also carry 
spears. 

The Irish trumpets were curved and made 
of bronze. 



Moderate. 



ETHNE'S SONG. 

Music by Elliott Schenck, 



5^a 



^ 



p Come with me 



to 



an - oth 



er world 



i 



q: 



■^^ 



^ ^^—^ * ^ ^ 

O - ver the hills and the 



To an 



i 



i 



53 



i 



is - land home by the waves en - curled, A 

— = — :: ~ dim, e sosL 

-H \ 1 ^ r 



¥ 



£ 



gold - en pal - ace with roof im - pearled, 



And 



kl 



col 



of 



por 



phy 



HITHER COMES THE FAIRY TRAIN. 



Moderato. 



Irish Air. 
Arr. by Elliott Schenck. 




mf Hith - er comes the Fai - ry train, 



'^■ 



i=3^ 



Round the 



roy 



al throne 



gain. Strike the 



HITHER COMES THE FAIRY TRAIN.— Concluded. 



f—M—Jd—f 



harp, strike the harp and shake the bells;. 



P:t 



Weave 



web 



of Fai - ry spells: 



Col 



^# ^ 



i^i 



ors from the rain - bow caught 



^^=^=f=^' 



^ 



#^=^# 



Mu - sic with loves' light - ness fraught, 




Song far sweet 



■^ 



a^ 



-J^-J- 



$ 



Or deep voice in the sea - shell heard. 



±_a: 



=#— )t 



Come, and with your mer - ry play, 



i 



^ 



S 



0^ 



Make 



Fai 



ry 



hoi 



day. 



FAIRIES* SONG. 



Animato. 



Irish Air. 
Arr. by Elliott Schenck. 



:fci3E^3St*^^=^!^ 



-^ — ^■ 



1^=^ 



mf Join hands a - gain in the Fai - ry dance. And a 



J^4 ^v--X-Z |^ 



-N- 



^—t-t^t=^ 






way to the flow'ring lea, Where the dew is cool on our 



tif 



m 



■* 



I 



danc - ing feet, And the breeze blows fresh from the 



it 



:jK— 



^- 



The cares 



of the world 



to 



the 



y\ ^ ^ ^ ^ t^_ 


K h. ■ r. ■ N 


A. r> k IB 1 i K* 


•^ ^ s N r 


('TV^ ^ m m _i^^ 


w R J 


\]) • • * ^ 


L^.* • #- « ?? 1 



world be - long; 



But 



love 



is ours 



al- 



-k-i^ 



:^£=i 



-0 — ^;=^ 



way; 



While the 



i 



stars 
Sost. 



go out, and the 



:fcz?: 



-^— =^ 



^- 



91 



V^3t 



moon sinks down, And day comes aft - ter day. 



V) 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



015 929 975 2 



